The Second Circuit Court of Appeals today granted the Obama administration a stay on access to one-pill forms of emergency contraception. But the court also ruled that two-pill variants should be available over the counter immediately and without harsh age restrictions. So Judge Korman’s important ruling that EC should be available over the counter should at least partially go into effect. This is another blow to the Obama administration’s attack on young people’s reproductive rights, and another victory for access to EC.

I happen to believe that when a presidential administration consistently acts to block access to reproductive health care, that means they’re demonstrably anti-feminist. I don’t care how well you talk the talk or how many feminist parties you show up to, actions are most important. The Obama administration has acted to block reproductive health care access in such an obviously political manner, a federal judge wrote that, “The FDA bowed to political pressure emanating from the White House and departed from agency policy,” and that, “Even with eyes shut to the motivation for [HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius'] decision, the reasons she provided are so unpersuasive as to call into question her good faith.” Luckily, we’re winning access to EC despite the Obama administration’s best efforts.

Boston, MA

Jos Truitt is Executive Director of Development at Feministing. She joined the team in July 2009, became an Editor in August 2011, and Executive Director in September 2013. She writes about a range of topics including transgender issues, abortion access, and media representation. Jos first got involved with organizing when she led a walk out against the Iraq war at her high school, the Boston Arts Academy. She was introduced to the reproductive justice movement while at Hampshire College, where she organized the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program’s annual reproductive justice conference. She has worked on the National Abortion Federation’s hotline, was a Field Organizer at Choice USA, and has volunteered as a Pro-Choice Clinic Escort. Jos has written for publications including The Guardian, Bilerico, RH Reality Check, Metro Weekly, and the Columbia Journalism Review. She has spoken and trained at numerous national conferences and college campuses about trans issues, reproductive justice, blogging, feminism, and grassroots organizing. Jos completed her MFA in Printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute in Spring 2013. In her "spare time" she likes to bake and work on projects about mermaids.

Jos Truitt is an Executive Director of Feministing in charge of Development.

Eliminating the middleman and shipping directly to the consumer not only reduces the cost but also sidesteps some of the other barriers folks often face trying to get EC. Sometimes pharmacies don’t stock it, and despite the fact that EC is supposed to be available to everyone over-the-counter, pharmacists routinely, incorrectly turn away young people and men. And getting a discreet, unmarked package in the mail might be more comfortable than talking to a cashier for some folks.

One drawback is that AfterPill doesn’t accept insurance, although I can’t ...

Democratic senators have introduced a new bill to raise awareness about emergency contraception and make it available to rape survivors at federally funded hospitals.

The Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act of 2014 was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), with Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) signing on as co-sponsors. The bill would ensure that any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds provides accurate information and timely access to emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault, regardless of whether or not they can pay for it. It would also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disseminate information on emergency contraception to pharmacists and health care providers.

Providing ...

Democratic senators have introduced a new bill to raise awareness about emergency contraception and make it available to rape survivors at federally funded hospitals.

The Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act of 2014 was introduced by ...

Five-O, created by siblings Ima, Asha, and Caleb Christian, allows users to detail their encounters with police officers and rate them on their professionalism. Anyone can check how their community stacks up and the information will be sent to law enforcement. “We’d like to know which regions in the US provide horrible law enforcement services as well as highlight the agencies that are highly rated by their citizens, explained senior Ima.” In addition to putting more power into the hands of citizens ...